Key Takeaways
- Hong Kong Business Registration Renewal is handled by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD); Form NAR1 is a separate Companies Registry filing.
- For certificates commencing from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027, a 1-year BRC costs HK$2,350 and a 3-year BRC costs HK$6,170.
- The IRD normally issues the renewal demand note around the middle of the month before the new certificate period starts
- Once the required fee and levy are paid, the receipted demand note becomes the valid Business Registration Certificate.
- If no demand note arrives, the business must notify the Commissioner in writing within one month after the current certificate expires.
- A Hong Kong incorporated company generally remains subject to business registration until it is dissolved or deregistered; simply pausing activity does not end the obligation.
BRC and NAR1 Are Not the Same Filing
For overseas founders running a Hong Kong company in 2026, the Business Registration Certificate is renewed with the Inland Revenue Department on the certificate’s own expiry clock — not on the incorporation anniversary that governs Form NAR1.
The BRC sits under the IRD’s Business Registration Office. Form NAR1 is an annual return filed with the Companies Registry, so the two obligations should be tracked separately.
The distinction is easiest to see side by side:
| Item | BRC renewal | Form NAR1 |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | Inland Revenue Department | Companies Registry |
| Main clock | Certificate commencement / expiry | Incorporation anniversary |
| Purpose | Keep business registration current | Update annual company particulars |
For related deadlines, see Captime’s Hong Kong compliance calendar and annual compliance overview.
2026 Hong Kong Business Registration Renewal Fees
As of 4 September 2026, the renewal amount depends on the commencement date of the new certificate. Under the IRD’s Business Registration Fee and Levy Table, certificates commencing from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 carry the following charges.
| Certificate | Registration fee | PWIF levy | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-year Business Registration Certificate | HK$2,200 | HK$150 | HK$2,350 |
| 3-year Business Registration Certificate | HK$5,720 | HK$450 | HK$6,170 |
| 1-year branch certificate | HK$80 | HK$150 | HK$230 |
| 3-year branch certificate | HK$208 | HK$450 | HK$658 |
The two-year waiver of the Protection of Wages on Insolvency Fund levy ended on 31 March 2026, so the levy is again included for certificates commencing on or after 1 April 2026.
How Renewal, Payment and Address Updates Work
The IRD normally sends a renewal demand note around the middle of the month before the new certificate period begins. Under the IRD’s Business Registration renewal procedure, payment of the prescribed fee and levy turns the receipted demand note into the valid new certificate.
How can the renewal be paid?
Business registration fees can be paid electronically, including through supported online channels and Faster Payment System (FPS), or by other methods listed by the IRD.
Why does the address matter?
A company should keep its IRD business-registration address current so renewal correspondence reaches the right place. If the company’s registered office changes, that is separately notified to the Companies Registry using Form NR1. Captime’s registered office vs business address guide explains the distinction.
What Happens If the BRC Lapses?
A lapsed BRC is a compliance problem, but it does not mean the company is automatically struck off. The IRD’s Business Registration Certificate guidance reflects the Business Registration Ordinance offence framework, under which relevant non-compliance can carry a maximum fine of HK$5,000 and one year’s imprisonment on conviction.
If the renewal demand note never arrives, the IRD says the business must notify the Commissioner in writing within one month after the existing certificate expires. An expired certificate can also create practical friction where banks, payment providers or other counterparties request current business-registration evidence.
Stopping trade is also not the same as ending business registration. The IRD’s cancellation guidance says cessation must be notified in writing within one month, and Hong Kong incorporated companies remain deemed to carry on business for registration purposes until dissolved or deregistered.
1-Year or 3-Year BRC: Which Fits?
A 1-year BRC offers more flexibility, while a 3-year BRC reduces renewal cycles. The better fit depends on cash flow, the expected stability of the Hong Kong entity, and whether closure or restructuring is plausible within 12–18 months.
The IRD allows an existing business to elect for a 3-year Business Registration Certificate by giving written notice at least one month before the current certificate expires. The fee and levy are not refundable merely because the business ceases before the 3-year certificate expires.
For overseas-run companies, this practical comparison can help:
| Factor | 1-year BRC | 3-year BRC |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 total | HK$2,350 | HK$6,170 |
| Cash outlay | Lower upfront | Higher upfront |
| Administration | Annual renewal cycle | Fewer renewal cycles |
| Best fit | Newer or less certain structures | Stable long-term Hong Kong vehicles |
See also Captime’s Hong Kong company secretary requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Is BRC the same as incorporation?
A: No. Incorporation creates the Hong Kong company through the Companies Registry, while a Business Registration Certificate records the business registration administered by the Inland Revenue Department. The two processes are connected at setup, but they remain legally and administratively distinct. Renewing the BRC does not re-incorporate the company.
Is BRC the same as NAR1?
A: No. The Business Registration Certificate is administered by the Inland Revenue Department, while Form NAR1 is the annual return filed with the Companies Registry. They also run on different clocks: the BRC follows its certificate period, whereas NAR1 is tied to the company’s incorporation anniversary.
Q: Do dormant companies still renew BRC?
A: A Hong Kong incorporated company does not stop having business-registration obligations merely because it has paused trading. The IRD’s business registration cancellation rules state that an incorporated company is deemed to carry on business until it is dissolved or deregistered. Formal cessation and dormancy should therefore not be treated as the same thing.
Q: What if I never received the demand note?
A: If a renewal demand note is not received, the business should not assume the BRC obligation has disappeared. The IRD renewal procedure requires the business to notify the Commissioner in writing within one month after the current certificate expires. Keeping the business-registration address current reduces the risk of missing renewal correspondence.
Q: Can I switch from 1-year to 3-year?
A: Yes. Under the 3-year BRC election rules, an existing business can elect for a 3-year Business Registration Certificate by notifying the IRD in writing at least one month before the current certificate expires. The election continues until it is revoked in the prescribed way, so the choice should reflect the company’s expected operating horizon.
Q: Can Captime renew BRC with the annual secretary package?
A: Yes. Captime’s current company secretary packages include handling BRC renewal, with government fees passed through at cost. The scope and current package terms are shown on Captime’s company secretary pricing page. This can keep the BRC renewal cycle aligned with the company’s wider statutory maintenance.
Q: How much does Hong Kong BRC renewal cost in 2026?
A: Under the IRD fee and levy table, a Business Registration Certificate commencing from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 costs HK$2,350 for 1 year or HK$6,170 for 3 years. Each total combines the applicable registration fee and the PWIF levy for that certificate period.
Q: Can I pay BRC renewal online?
A: Yes. The IRD supports electronic access to renewal demand notes and Business Registration Certificates through Business Registration Electronic Services. Electronic payment options include supported online channels such as FPS. After full payment, the PDF certificate is normally available through eTAX after 10:00 a.m. on the next calendar day.
Sources
Official Hong Kong government sources:
- IRD — Renewal of Business Registration
- IRD — Business Registration Fee and Levy Table
- IRD — 2024–25 Budget Business Registration Measures
- IRD — Business Registration Electronic Services
- IRD — Payment by Faster Payment System
- IRD — Business Registration Certificate for 3 Years
- IRD — Cancellation of Business Registration
- IRD — Business Registration Certificate Guidance
- CR — Form NR1
- CR — Annual Return Filing Requirements
Keep BRC renewal and company filings on one calendar
Captime can coordinate BRC renewal with company-secretary compliance, with government fees passed through at cost.
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